JAPAN: Country commemorates 66th anniversary of the end of the World War Two, as tens of thousands of Japanese visit a controversial war shrine

Record ID: 464783

  • Title: JAPAN: Country commemorates 66th anniversary of the end of the World War Two, as tens of thousands of Japanese visit a controversial war shrine
  • Date: 16th August 2011
  • Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (AUGUST 15, 2011) (REUTERS) MAIN GATE OF YASUKUNI SHRINE VISITORS PASSING THROUGH SHRINE GATE MAN HOLDING WARTIME JAPANESE FLAG WARTIME JAPANESE FLAG (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 63-YEAR-OLD RETIREE TAKAO HATAJIMA SAYING: "We must remember those who fought for Japan and praise their contributions." PEOPLE PASSING THROUGH SHRINE GATE JAPANESE FLAG AT THE GATE PEOPLE WALKING ON STEPS PEOPLE WALKING INTO SHRINE PEOPLE QUEUING IN FRONT OF MAIN TEMPLE MORE OF PEOPLE WAITING ON QUEUE TO PRAY AT THE MAIN TEMPLE MAN PRAYING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 54-YEAR-OLD HOUSEWIFE SAEKO HIDAKI SAYING: "I'd like to thank our forefathers for the prosperity we enjoy today and also ask them to help those killed in the disaster rest in peace." MORE OF PEOPLE QUEUING AT SHRINE TO PRAY PEOPLE PRAYING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 53-YEAR-OLD BUSINESSMAN TOSHIHIKO HORIUCHI SAYING: "Japan may have to show more restraint in dealing with territorial disputes between Russia, China or South Korea and resolve them peacefully with dialogues; if we fight against our neighbors over the disputes, we'll be just repeating what we've done during wartime." EXTERIOR OF NIPPON BUDOKAN HALL PEOPLE SINGING JAPANESE NATIONAL ANTHEM JAPANESE FLAG JAPANESE EMPEROR AKIHITO AND EMPRESS MICHIKO BOWING TO AUDIENCE JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER NAOTO KAN WALKING UP ONTO PODIUM (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER, NAOTO KAN, SAYING: "Japan has caused a tremendous amount of damage and suffering to many Asian countries during the war. We deeply reflect on our past and express our sincerest condolences to those who lost their lives and their families." KAN WALKING OFF PODIUM VARIOUS OF JAPANESE IMPERIAL COUPLE BOWING TO ALTAR FOR WAR DEAD
  • Embargoed: 31st August 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan, Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Conflict,History
  • Reuters ID: LVA8DYD6XMQ1HS05WO0CB3HU1LIG
  • Story Text: Tens of thousands of people visited Japan's controversial Yasukuni Shrine on Monday (August 15) to commemorate the end of World War Two, while much of the rest of Asia celebrate the day of their liberation from Japanese imperial rule 66 years ago.
    Shrine officials estimate an average of 150,000 to 250,000 will visit Yasukuni on this day to offer their personal prayers.
    Yasukuni Shrine, a sacred place to honour Japan's war dead, is seen by Japan's neighbours as a symbol of Japan's past militarism as 14 World War Two leaders, convicted by an Allied tribunal as "Class A" war criminals, were also enshrined.
    The shrine also played a central role in the wartime state Shinto religion which mobilised the population to fight in the name of a divine emperor.
    Despite the controversy, a visitor to the shrine said it's his duty to remember those who sacrificed themselves for the country.
    "We must remember those who fought for Japan and praise their contributions," said Takao Hatajima, 63, who carried Japan's wartime flag to the shire.
    Others visited the shrine to pray for peaceful rest of the victims of March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
    "I'd like to thank our forefathers for the prosperity we enjoy today and also ask them to help those killed in disaster rest in peace," said Saeko Hidaki, 54, who visits Yasukuni every year.
    The March 11 tsunami devastated Northern Japan leaving almost 25,000 dead or missing, a government report says.
    Some visitors said they came to the shrine to remind themselves never to repeat the mistakes of the past, especially in a time when Japan faces multiple territorial disputes with neighbour countries.
    "Japan may have to show more restraint in dealing with territorial disputes between Russia, China or South Korea and resolve them peacefully with dialogues; if we fight against our neighbors over the disputes, we'll be just repeating what we've done during the wartime," said 53-year-old Japanese businessman Toshihiko Horiuchi.
    Japan rowed with China last year when Japan detained a Chinese skipper whose trawler collided with Japanese patrol boats near a chain of disputed islands in the East China Sea.
    Relations with South Korea also deteriorated sharply after Japanese lawmakers unsuccessfully attempted to visit an island near disputed islets earlier this month.
    Russia angered Japan in November 2010 when President Dmitry Medvedev visited a disputed island chain off Russia's Pacific coast which is contested by Moscow and Tokyo.
    Amongst the thousands of Japanese visiting Yasukuni Shrine on Monday, 52 Japanese politicians, including former Prime Minister Shinjo Abe, also paid their respect at the inner sanctum of the shrine.
    Official visits to the Yasukuni shrine, where Japanese wartime leaders are honoured, usually offend Japan's neighbours who see it as a symbol of Japan's past militarism.
    Prime Minister Naoto Kan did not visit the controversial war shrine, but participated in an official memorial ceremony at the Nippon Budokan Hall, which was also attended by Japan's Emperor and Empress.
    Kan said Japan is remorseful for its conducts during the wartime.
    "Japan has caused a tremendous amount of damage and suffering to many Asian countries during the war. We deeply reflect on our past and express our sincerest condolences to those who lost their lives and their families," Kan said.
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